BFA to vote with CAF over Infantino proposal
Mqondisi Dube | Friday July 31, 2026 18:24
Last week, FIFA announced proposals to set up a commercial subsidiary to run events, including the World Cup, which has sparked a backlash, particularly from the influential Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
CAF is FIFA's largest continental federation with 54 members, and the region is known to back president Gianni Infantino's candidacy in May 2027. Morocco will host FIFA's elective congress with Infantino, who has increasingly come under pressure in recent months, standing for his second and final term.
Infantino was already facing renewed criticism for what was perceived as political interference during the recent World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States of America. This week's proposal to sale a stake in FIFA's flagship competitions has seen daggers turned against the Swiss-Italian. In the aftermath of the proposal, CAF, through a statement on Wednesday, urged member associations to review the controversial FIFA proposal.
'As part of this consultation process, the CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, will host a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee next week, to inter alia, assess and evaluate the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative,' reads the statement. 'CAF also encourages its member associations to examine the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal and participate in the consultation process in accordance with CAF and FIFA’s regulations and established procedures.'
In what could give a hint of how the CAF bloc will vote, the statement further said CAF is committed to continue consulting and working together with its member associations, FIFA, other football confederations and stakeholders 'in support of increasing financial and other resources for the development and growth of football in Africa and worldwide.' BFA president, Tariq Babitseng, who is also COSAFA leader, echoed the CAF statement when reached for comment on Thursday.
'The continent needs more money for development, yes we need to scrutinise where the money comes from, but we have to look at the proposal. As BFA, we are always looking for funds for football development, as development itself is expensive. For our programs to go forward as Africa, we need more money,' Babitseng said. Under the proposal, FIFA plans to form a subsidiary to run the World Cup, opening the door for investors to buy stakes of up to 20% in the commercial firm. UEFA has led the criticism of the decision, accusing FIFA of 'crossing the line.' However, CAF's numbers, despite UEFA's influence, might win the day for Infantino at the end of the day, with Africa throwing its weight behind the FIFA president ahead of next year's poll.